BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you are a registered voter, chances are you have received more political text messages than you can count.
You may even be cleaning out your mailbox from dozens of postcards sent from candidates and political parties.
Cameron County voter Norma Reynoso said that is what she had to do when her mailbox was flooded with cardstocks.
“I checked my mailbox, and I must have had ten to eleven of those cardstocks and I thought about how it’s such a waste and it’s so excessive," Reynoso said. “Some of them came from candidates and they were like throwing dirt at them, which I thought was kind of funny cause all their doing is spending money. All I did was take it and throw it in the trash.”
Reynoso voted at the Brownsville Public Library Monday afternoon and said the constant text messages and postcards made her feel pressured to vote despite planning on it.
"I felt, not coerced but I felt pressured like I really needed to get my vote in and I get it," Reynoso said.
Jared Hockema, Democratic Party Chairman for Cameron County, said the text messages and phone calls from political parties are done by gathering public voter data.
With the information that is filled out when you register to vote, political parties and candidates can send text messages, phone calls and even visit your home.
Hockema said throughout the past few election cycles, they have been focused on targeting registered voters who have not yet voted or are new to the area.
“We want to make sure that our county has a strong voice. We want to make sure that people pay attention to our county and the issues that matter to our county and give it consideration," Hockema said. "That’s why we reach out as a party, that’s the same reason candidates reach out to people. They need their help in these elections but they also need their voice to be heard so they can carry that voice to Washington or Austin."
Deborah Bell is the chairwoman on the other side of the aisle. As Republican Party Chairwoman for Cameron County, she said this is the first time the county has had an active Republican party.
Bell said as a person who is active in politics, she is not immune to text messages, phone calls and postcards and receives her fair share as well.
However, Bell said it is an important way to educate yourself on who you are voting for and make sure you are making the right choice.
"All the cards in the mail are annoying sometimes I understand, but at the end of the day, it’s urging you as a constituent to research your candidate. That’s all we’re asking you to do, and on both sides of the aisle. Research your candidate and make the choice that’s best for you and reflects your values," Bell said.
Both parties agree that the best way to get your name off their mailing list and stop receiving messages is to cast your vote.